Sociological Theories
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Functionalism
Consensus theory
Characteristed by the idea that society requires shared norms and values in order for it to function properly
Characteristed by the idea that society requires shared norms and values in order for it to function properly
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Institutions
Family, education, the media
Clear social functions
Ensure there is a broad agreement about the nors and values of society
Clear social functions
Ensure there is a broad agreement about the nors and values of society
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Human Body
Explain how the different aspects of society are all interconnected and problems in one area of society might be symptoms of dysfunction elsewhere
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Fair and Meritocratic
Everyone has the possibility to succeed and be socially mobile
Everyone want to have high life chances
Everyone want to have high life chances
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Durkheim
Highlights the fact that within a class based society some people are able to achieve more than others
Useful as all of society's roles get filled up
Role allocation
Useful as all of society's roles get filled up
Role allocation
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Deviance
Not interested in individual motivations
Interested in the social structures and processes that lead to deviance
Assume everyone in a culture shares the same norms and values - collective conscience/consciousness
Shared values maintain the balance in soci
Interested in the social structures and processes that lead to deviance
Assume everyone in a culture shares the same norms and values - collective conscience/consciousness
Shared values maintain the balance in soci
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Durkheim Theory
Society have a collective conscience
For social order to be maintained we need to ensure these values are passed on and followed by each future generation
Process of socialisation and crime and deviance is part of the process
For social order to be maintained we need to ensure these values are passed on and followed by each future generation
Process of socialisation and crime and deviance is part of the process
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Crime and Society
Crime is a positive part of society as it teaches us right and wrong
Contributes to the process of socialisation
Crime provides work so it is a functional part of society
Not everyone follows the collective conscience so crime and deviance are inheritable
Contributes to the process of socialisation
Crime provides work so it is a functional part of society
Not everyone follows the collective conscience so crime and deviance are inheritable
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Anomie
Social instability caused by erosion of standards and values
The breakdown of social bond sbetween an individual and their community
Emile Durkheim
The breakdown of social bond sbetween an individual and their community
Emile Durkheim
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Anmoie Explained
Why some people become dysfunctional and turn to crime
Insufficiently integrated into society's norms and values
Causes society to become less integrated and more individualistic
Causes individuals to look out for themselves rather than the community
Insufficiently integrated into society's norms and values
Causes society to become less integrated and more individualistic
Causes individuals to look out for themselves rather than the community
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Principles of Deviance and Functionalism
Brings people together so they can reinforce thier ideas of what is right and wrong through the application of social controls and sanctions
Provides peopl with work and purpose so that police and probation services exist becuase crime exists
Provides peopl with work and purpose so that police and probation services exist becuase crime exists
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Social Strain Theory 1968
Robert K Merton 1968
Crime is a result of the organisation and culture we live in
Values of Western culture are sucess, wealth and competition, however most people don't have the same chances to achieve this
Gap between people's aim and the possibility of
Crime is a result of the organisation and culture we live in
Values of Western culture are sucess, wealth and competition, however most people don't have the same chances to achieve this
Gap between people's aim and the possibility of
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Conformity
People follow rules in the hope of success
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Innovation
People are committed to social values, but seek other ways of achieving success and wealth
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Ritualism
People 'go through the motions' without expectations and gain satisfaaction in other ways
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Retreatism
People reject the goal and the methods and may become drug addicts or turn to alternative lifestyles
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Rebellion
People replace shared values with alternatives and may use violence to get there
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Robert Merton and Deviance
Combining a person's vie of cultural goals and the conventional means to obtain them allowed him to identify various types of deviances
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Hirshi
Considered why some people don't commit crime
Wanted to know why people behaved, what factors caused them to stay in check, following norms and values set out by society
Wanted to know why people behaved, what factors caused them to stay in check, following norms and values set out by society
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Bonds of Attachment 1969
People attache themselves to society through a variety of ways
Create a number of social bonds that hold them to society
Stop people from committing crime
Create a number of social bonds that hold them to society
Stop people from committing crime
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Attachment
Example is relationsips with people
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Commitment
Example is having a job
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Involvement
Example is having hobbies or attending church
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Summary of Functionalism
Crime is functional and inevitable
Durkheim aruged crime reaches society right and wrong, provides jobsm acts as a safety valve and warning devices
Merton says social strain causes crime as thosse who can't achieve society's goals through legitimate means
Durkheim aruged crime reaches society right and wrong, provides jobsm acts as a safety valve and warning devices
Merton says social strain causes crime as thosse who can't achieve society's goals through legitimate means
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Right Realism
Considers crime from the perspective of political conservatism with the standpoint of getting tough on crime
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Development of Right Realism
Charles Murray
Crime is caused by cultural and ecconomic factors
Blame what they see as declining moral standards and a lack of respect for authority for a rise in crime
Crime is caused by a breakdown of social bonds in society
Crime is caused by cultural and ecconomic factors
Blame what they see as declining moral standards and a lack of respect for authority for a rise in crime
Crime is caused by a breakdown of social bonds in society
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Marcus Felson
For crime to occur there must be several elements present these include:
An offender who is capable and willing to commit the crime
Opportunity in the form of a target
A lack of community supervision so that the crime wwill be undetected
Absence of people
An offender who is capable and willing to commit the crime
Opportunity in the form of a target
A lack of community supervision so that the crime wwill be undetected
Absence of people
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Rejection of Deprivation and Poverty
Humans are selfish and greedy
Need punishmenet as a means of maintaining social control
Underclass are a key fatcor behind crime
Need punishmenet as a means of maintaining social control
Underclass are a key fatcor behind crime
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Underclass
Subculture at the bottom of the social class system
Characterised by unemployment
Living on benefits is a norm
Criminal values
Lack of connection with the value consensus
Characterised by unemployment
Living on benefits is a norm
Criminal values
Lack of connection with the value consensus
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Principles of Right Realism
Crime and criminality among the poor are a serious problem
Everyone is selfish and would commit crime if they could
Laws prevent people from committing crime because they fear the consquences of breaking the law
People weigh up the advantages and disadvan
Everyone is selfish and would commit crime if they could
Laws prevent people from committing crime because they fear the consquences of breaking the law
People weigh up the advantages and disadvan
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Consquences
Only way to reduce crime ensuring they are severe enough
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Broken Window Theory
Single window of a building broken by a vandal
Left un-mended
More windows will be broken
Residents no longer want to live there and will move somewhere better
Community will be reduce to 'sink' estate
Crime increases as there are no consquences
Left un-mended
More windows will be broken
Residents no longer want to live there and will move somewhere better
Community will be reduce to 'sink' estate
Crime increases as there are no consquences
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Zero Tolerance
Refusal to accept antisocial behaviour, strict and uncompromising application of the law
Punishment for all crimes
Punishment for all crimes
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Example of Zero Tolerance
Young person smashes a window in an empty house
Window remains broken and the individual belives they have gotten away with it
Other young people see this and believe they can commit similar crimes and get away with it, such as graffiti, squatting, drug t
Window remains broken and the individual belives they have gotten away with it
Other young people see this and believe they can commit similar crimes and get away with it, such as graffiti, squatting, drug t
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Left Realism
Crime lies in the inequalities created by a capitalist society
Both practical measures to reduce crime and a long-term chance towards a mor equal, caring society are needed
Both practical measures to reduce crime and a long-term chance towards a mor equal, caring society are needed
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Left Realists and Poverty
Reject the idea that crime is caused by poverty
Criminal behaviour is caused by the cycle of deprivation
Criminal behaviour is caused by the cycle of deprivation
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Subcultures
Develop amongst groups who suffer relative deprivation (less in comparison to others)
Specific areas, tattoos, etc are worn here
Specific areas, tattoos, etc are worn here
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Marginalisation
Treatment of a person, group or concept as insignficiant
Occurs where groups in society who feel more deprived than others, often economically, socially and politically, feel they have no voice
Occurs where groups in society who feel more deprived than others, often economically, socially and politically, feel they have no voice
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Awareness of Status
Poor become aware of their lower status
The fact they are poor and turn to crime to rectify this
Aware that others have more than them
Steal to level the playing field
The fact they are poor and turn to crime to rectify this
Aware that others have more than them
Steal to level the playing field
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Subcultures Explained
Lea and Yound argue the subculture of young blacks is distinctly different from their parents who largely accepted their maginalised position in society
Black youth subculture has high material expectations and aspirations, money and status symbols such a
Black youth subculture has high material expectations and aspirations, money and status symbols such a
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Relative Deprivation
Lea and Young argue that frustration from this disparity between expectations and the reality of lifestyle leads to feelings of relative deprivation
Argue the reality for many young Black males is a choice of unemployment, training schems or 'white man's
Argue the reality for many young Black males is a choice of unemployment, training schems or 'white man's
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Marginalisation Explained
Lea and Young argue that marginalisation means the process by which certain groups find themselves on the edge of society
White and black working class youths often feel alienated by schools, unemployment, low wages, the police etc
Young black males face
White and black working class youths often feel alienated by schools, unemployment, low wages, the police etc
Young black males face
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Square of Crime
Combines all the different aspects into four lements
Crime can only be understood by examining the interrelationship between these four factors
Lea and Young state that to fully understand and be able to tackle crime, we must look at 4 different elements,
Crime can only be understood by examining the interrelationship between these four factors
Lea and Young state that to fully understand and be able to tackle crime, we must look at 4 different elements,
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Domestic Violence
Needs to be a law preventing it
The existence of that law is influenced by the public
For the law to be broken there needs to be both an offender and a victim
The existence of that law is influenced by the public
For the law to be broken there needs to be both an offender and a victim
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The London Riots 2011
A series of riots between 6 and 11 August 2011.
Thousands of people rioted in cities and twons across England
Lotting, arson, deployment of police and the death of five people
Thousands of people rioted in cities and twons across England
Lotting, arson, deployment of police and the death of five people
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Home Office and Ministry of Justice 2011 Riots Data
3% of adults were claiming out-of-work benefits, the national average is 12%
Of the young people involved 42% were in receipt of free school meals compared to an average of 16%
Of the young people involved 42% were in receipt of free school meals compared to an average of 16%
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India 1984
The Union Carbide chemical plant leaked deadly gas into the Indian city of Bhopal
Safetu systems failed and thousands died
Others were blinded or poisoned
The company has not been taken to court and victims only recieved $350 (£250) each
Safetu systems failed and thousands died
Others were blinded or poisoned
The company has not been taken to court and victims only recieved $350 (£250) each
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Marxist
The political and economic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels later developed by their followers to form the basis of communism
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Capitalism
An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state
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Bourgeoisie
The capitalist class who own most of society's wealth and means of production (factories, machines, land, mines, buildings, vehicles)
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Proletariat
The social class (working-class) having no significant ownership of the means of production (factories, machines, land, mines, buildings, vehicales)
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Conform
To comply with rules, standards or lws; to behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards
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Karl Marx
Political economist/sociologist and philosopher
His studies and theories were all concerned with social class (divisions) and the distribution of pwoer and wealth within society
Claimed that the higher classes owns the working class as they must sell thei
His studies and theories were all concerned with social class (divisions) and the distribution of pwoer and wealth within society
Claimed that the higher classes owns the working class as they must sell thei
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Criminality and Marx
Instituations like the justice system, prisons, schools, police and religion are al there to encourage individuals within society to conform to the rule of the bourgeoisie
Argued that white-collar crimes are not dealth with as harshly by authorities due t
Argued that white-collar crimes are not dealth with as harshly by authorities due t
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Criminality and Marxism
Argue that depending on the social class of a person will depend on how they are treated differently by the courts
Working class are more likely to commit crime as they are trying to rebel against the social control of the bourgeoisie
Working class are more likely to commit crime as they are trying to rebel against the social control of the bourgeoisie
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William Bonger 1905
A Dutch sociologist who believed the powerful were able to define crime as anything that threatens their interests
More focus on crime committed by the poor against the rich, than the crimes of the rich
More focus on crime committed by the poor against the rich, than the crimes of the rich
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Why do Poor People Commit Crime?
Phyiscal needs and water
A sense of frsutration and injstice caused by deprivation
A sense of frsutration and injstice caused by deprivation
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Laureen Snider
Canadian sociologist
Suggests that states are reluctant to pass laws that offend the interest of big businesses because of the power of the companies
Laws appear to treat everyone equally, but laws affecting the rich are not rigously enforced
Health and e
Suggests that states are reluctant to pass laws that offend the interest of big businesses because of the power of the companies
Laws appear to treat everyone equally, but laws affecting the rich are not rigously enforced
Health and e
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Nestle
Aggressively marketed baby milk formula in developing countries in the 70s, 80s, and 90s
Formula killed thousands of babies because of the contaminated water it was mixed with
Higher birth rates as women used formula instead of breast milk, they were depr
Formula killed thousands of babies because of the contaminated water it was mixed with
Higher birth rates as women used formula instead of breast milk, they were depr
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William Chambliss
Ruling classes are able to define what is or is not morally or socially acceptable
Huge media coverage of benefit fraud, but very few media reports of tax evasion
Huge media coverage of benefit fraud, but very few media reports of tax evasion
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William Chambliss Research Study
Studied criminal activity in Seattle from 1962 to 72
Interviewed a range of people, including prostitutes, politicians and legal officials, using unstrustured methods
Crime occurs at all levels, arrests depended on people's access to power and wealth
Disc
Interviewed a range of people, including prostitutes, politicians and legal officials, using unstrustured methods
Crime occurs at all levels, arrests depended on people's access to power and wealth
Disc
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The Manipulation of Values
Society is controlled by those who own the means of production (business owners, and investors) and therefore they get to dictate the law to the subject classes
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Socialisation
During childhood and adulthood we are socialised by a variety of different agencies (family, education etc) which are working together to promote capitlaist values to ensure society maintains them
Marxists believe that the ruling class have the power to e
Marxists believe that the ruling class have the power to e
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Threat
If socialisation was to fail and it often doesm the threat of what will happen if you commit crime will prevent the working class from rising e.g. prison sentences for streat crimes but not white collar crimes
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Law Creation
Based on the ruling classes and that they dictate to be important. Done through:
Manipulation of values - passing laws to ensure their values are seen as the most important
Pressure grops - they use covert pressure groups to lobby the government into chan
Manipulation of values - passing laws to ensure their values are seen as the most important
Pressure grops - they use covert pressure groups to lobby the government into chan
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Law Enforcement
The ruling class, according to Marxists, have through official statistic created a stereotypical criminal, that of a young, black, working class male
The stereotype is allowed to continue becuase it contains people from less powerful groups
More likely to
The stereotype is allowed to continue becuase it contains people from less powerful groups
More likely to
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Gordon 1976
Crime is seen as a working class 'problem' and therefore justifies why there are so many arrests in this category
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Individual Motivation
Crime is a logical response to ruling class ideology.
The values transmitted through capitalism are competition, greed and selfishness
Crime is a perfectly normal response to these values
Marxists are surprised that nor more crime is committed
The values transmitted through capitalism are competition, greed and selfishness
Crime is a perfectly normal response to these values
Marxists are surprised that nor more crime is committed
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Institutions
Back
Family, education, the media
Clear social functions
Ensure there is a broad agreement about the nors and values of society
Clear social functions
Ensure there is a broad agreement about the nors and values of society
Card 3
Front
Human Body
Back
Card 4
Front
Fair and Meritocratic
Back
Card 5
Front
Durkheim
Back
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